Sago palm

For this plant

Let it dry between waterings: every ten days in summer, monthly in winter. Overwatering is its only enemy.

The principle

A low need means a clear dry-then-wet cycle. Wait until the top two thirds of the substrate are dry, water until it runs from the base, then empty the saucer ten minutes later. Permanently moist soil suffocates roots far faster than dryness starves them.

For this plant

Morning sun or bright filtered light. Afternoon full sun in Marrakech can scorch young fronds.

The principle

Full sun means six hours or more of direct light a day. These plants build thick foliage and dense tissue to cope with it; in insufficient light they stretch, lengthen their internodes and lose their compact habit. After buying or repotting, reintroduce direct sun gradually over ten to fifteen days to avoid scorch.

For this plant

Diluted palm feed twice a year, spring and summer. Nothing in winter.

The principle

A slow grower consumes little: two or three half-strength feeds between April and August are enough. Over-feeding does not speed it up — it burns the roots and leaves a white crust on the substrate. Repotting every three years renews most of its reserves.

For this plant

Tolerates down to −5 °C in dry soil. Bring potted specimens in below 0 °C.

The principle

Good heat tolerance means the summers of Marrakech, Fez or Béni Mellal pose no problem as long as water follows. Days above 38 °C call for early-morning watering and, in a pot, protection of the west-facing wall: the root ball can reach 50 °C before the plant shows anything at all.